I am a kid I’m 14 years old I’m a cheerleader I love to play with my two
cheerleader I love to play with my two
cheerleader I love to play with my two dogs and enjoy nature and photography I
dogs and enjoy nature and photography I
dogs and enjoy nature and photography I watched an excessive amount of TV but
watched an excessive amount of TV but
watched an excessive amount of TV but come on what kind of kid would I be if I
come on what kind of kid would I be if I
come on what kind of kid would I be if I didn’t I’m the youngest of my family of
didn’t I’m the youngest of my family of
didn’t I’m the youngest of my family of eight I have three brothers and two
eight I have three brothers and two
eight I have three brothers and two sisters who while often annoying are fun
sisters who while often annoying are fun
sisters who while often annoying are fun to be with when we’re all together at
to be with when we’re all together at
to be with when we’re all together at the dinner table I guess you could say
the dinner table I guess you could say
the dinner table I guess you could say I’m a typical kid but what’s not typical
I’m a typical kid but what’s not typical
I’m a typical kid but what’s not typical is what happened to me last year
is what happened to me last year
is what happened to me last year you see from kindergarten to eighth
you see from kindergarten to eighth
you see from kindergarten to eighth grade I was always enrolled in private
grade I was always enrolled in private
grade I was always enrolled in private Christian schools it was my own safe
Christian schools it was my own safe
Christian schools it was my own safe little bubble where I could openly share
little bubble where I could openly share
little bubble where I could openly share my beliefs and freely talk about God in
my beliefs and freely talk about God in
my beliefs and freely talk about God in fact that was our homework some days we
fact that was our homework some days we
fact that was our homework some days we had Bible class every day and chapels
had Bible class every day and chapels
had Bible class every day and chapels every Thursday where we would have
every Thursday where we would have
every Thursday where we would have praise and worship and then a speaker
praise and worship and then a speaker
praise and worship and then a speaker would come in to give us a message I
would come in to give us a message I
would come in to give us a message I know everyone in my grade and everyone
know everyone in my grade and everyone
know everyone in my grade and everyone knew me after all
knew me after all
knew me after all I was in the class of only about 60 kids
I was in the class of only about 60 kids
I was in the class of only about 60 kids eighth grade started difficult for me
eighth grade started difficult for me
eighth grade started difficult for me friends wise but I finally found a good
friends wise but I finally found a good
friends wise but I finally found a good group who accepted me for me and
group who accepted me for me and
group who accepted me for me and included me in everything I was even
included me in everything I was even
included me in everything I was even starting a girls Bible study with one of
starting a girls Bible study with one of
starting a girls Bible study with one of my friends I had also been on the cheer
my friends I had also been on the cheer
my friends I had also been on the cheer squad ever since third grade
squad ever since third grade
squad ever since third grade I had never known a life outside the
I had never known a life outside the
I had never known a life outside the confines and comforts of my small cozy
confines and comforts of my small cozy
confines and comforts of my small cozy private school so I expected out stay
private school so I expected out stay
private school so I expected out stay there until I graduated it was nearly
there until I graduated it was nearly
there until I graduated it was nearly perfect I was right where he wanted to
perfect I was right where he wanted to
perfect I was right where he wanted to be
be
be I couldn’t imagine things ever changing
I couldn’t imagine things ever changing
I couldn’t imagine things ever changing but they did I am a dad not just any dad
but they did I am a dad not just any dad
but they did I am a dad not just any dad I’m her dad I’m 55 years old I’ve been
I’m her dad I’m 55 years old I’ve been
I’m her dad I’m 55 years old I’ve been married for 25 years and my wife and I
married for 25 years and my wife and I
married for 25 years and my wife and I have been raising our six kids I love to
have been raising our six kids I love to
have been raising our six kids I love to play hockey and I still get out on the
play hockey and I still get out on the
play hockey and I still get out on the ice three times a week and play on a
ice three times a week and play on a
ice three times a week and play on a team with my sons my greatest joys are
team with my sons my greatest joys are
team with my sons my greatest joys are spending time with my family sharing
spending time with my family sharing
spending time with my family sharing stories at the dinner table taking road
stories at the dinner table taking road
stories at the dinner table taking road trips and just watching my kids grow up
trips and just watching my kids grow up
trips and just watching my kids grow up as they learn to take care of themselves
as they learn to take care of themselves
as they learn to take care of themselves I guess you’d say I’m a typical dad but
I guess you’d say I’m a typical dad but
I guess you’d say I’m a typical dad but what’s not typical is what happened to
what’s not typical is what happened to
what’s not typical is what happened to me a few years ago
me a few years ago
me a few years ago you see I’ve been an entrepreneur ever
you see I’ve been an entrepreneur ever
you see I’ve been an entrepreneur ever since I was a kid with a lemonade stand
since I was a kid with a lemonade stand
since I was a kid with a lemonade stand there’s just something about starting
there’s just something about starting
there’s just something about starting your own business
your own business
your own business and making your own money that I fell in
and making your own money that I fell in
and making your own money that I fell in love with so long ago and over the years
love with so long ago and over the years
love with so long ago and over the years I’ve started built and even sold a few
I’ve started built and even sold a few
I’ve started built and even sold a few companies and life was good we lived in
companies and life was good we lived in
companies and life was good we lived in a nice house
a nice house
a nice house we ate nice dinners we drove nice cars
we ate nice dinners we drove nice cars
we ate nice dinners we drove nice cars including an awesome 15 passenger Chevy
including an awesome 15 passenger Chevy
including an awesome 15 passenger Chevy van that we affectionately called the
van that we affectionately called the
van that we affectionately called the Ferrari now most people don’t know what
Ferrari now most people don’t know what
Ferrari now most people don’t know what it’s like to have eight people wherever
it’s like to have eight people wherever
it’s like to have eight people wherever you go going out to dinner requires
you go going out to dinner requires
you go going out to dinner requires waiting in line for two tables to be
waiting in line for two tables to be
waiting in line for two tables to be combined going on vacation requires
combined going on vacation requires
combined going on vacation requires three rows of seats on an airplane and
three rows of seats on an airplane and
three rows of seats on an airplane and to connecting hotel rooms in fact going
to connecting hotel rooms in fact going
to connecting hotel rooms in fact going anywhere
anywhere
anywhere requires two cars unless of course you
requires two cars unless of course you
requires two cars unless of course you have the awesome 15 passenger Ferrari
have the awesome 15 passenger Ferrari
have the awesome 15 passenger Ferrari things were going so well we decided to
things were going so well we decided to
things were going so well we decided to build our dream home so we bought some
build our dream home so we bought some
build our dream home so we bought some land being an entrepreneur I decided to
land being an entrepreneur I decided to
land being an entrepreneur I decided to buy even more land and build a dream
buy even more land and build a dream
buy even more land and build a dream subdivision instead that way our dream
subdivision instead that way our dream
subdivision instead that way our dream home would be completely paid for when
home would be completely paid for when
home would be completely paid for when we sold off all the extra Lots
we sold off all the extra Lots
we sold off all the extra Lots yeah life was good and then something
yeah life was good and then something
yeah life was good and then something terrible happened something completely
terrible happened something completely
terrible happened something completely out of my control ultimately I’d find
out of my control ultimately I’d find
out of my control ultimately I’d find myself in a situation where I’d be
myself in a situation where I’d be
myself in a situation where I’d be unable to provide for my family
sometimes life throws you curveballs you
sometimes life throws you curveballs you can do everything right but somehow
can do everything right but somehow
can do everything right but somehow everything seems to go wrong you may get
everything seems to go wrong you may get
everything seems to go wrong you may get a bad grade on something you worked hard
a bad grade on something you worked hard
a bad grade on something you worked hard for or maybe a loved one died
for or maybe a loved one died
for or maybe a loved one died unexpectedly and most of the time it’s
unexpectedly and most of the time it’s
unexpectedly and most of the time it’s out of your control what do you do next
out of your control what do you do next
out of your control what do you do next however is up to you my Angela once said
however is up to you my Angela once said
however is up to you my Angela once said you may encounter many defeats but you
you may encounter many defeats but you
you may encounter many defeats but you must not be defeated in fact it may be
must not be defeated in fact it may be
must not be defeated in fact it may be necessary to encounter this defeats to
necessary to encounter this defeats to
necessary to encounter this defeats to know who you are what you can rise from
know who you are what you can rise from
know who you are what you can rise from how you can still come out of it this
how you can still come out of it this
how you can still come out of it this quote perfectly demonstrates how
quote perfectly demonstrates how
quote perfectly demonstrates how important your next step is now it isn’t
important your next step is now it isn’t
important your next step is now it isn’t always easy to just get over it and move
always easy to just get over it and move
always easy to just get over it and move on believe me I know on the outside you
on believe me I know on the outside you
on believe me I know on the outside you have a smile because it can’t let anyone
have a smile because it can’t let anyone
have a smile because it can’t let anyone know how you actually feel however on
know how you actually feel however on
know how you actually feel however on the inside you battle confusion and
the inside you battle confusion and
the inside you battle confusion and anger maybe some of you are going
anger maybe some of you are going
anger maybe some of you are going through this now well as someone who has
through this now well as someone who has
through this now well as someone who has been there I’m here to describe to you
been there I’m here to describe to you
been there I’m here to describe to you what I went through and three steps of
what I went through and three steps of
what I went through and three steps of what to do when there’s nothing you can
what to do when there’s nothing you can
what to do when there’s nothing you can do what happened to me well one day in
do what happened to me well one day in
do what happened to me well one day in my eighth grade year I went on my mom’s
my eighth grade year I went on my mom’s
my eighth grade year I went on my mom’s laptop to do some homework
laptop to do some homework
laptop to do some homework hold up was a note that said dear Celine
hold up was a note that said dear Celine
hold up was a note that said dear Celine so of course I started reading it the
so of course I started reading it the
so of course I started reading it the note described how my parents couldn’t
note described how my parents couldn’t
note described how my parents couldn’t afford to keep me at my private school
afford to keep me at my private school
afford to keep me at my private school and I was going to have to switch to a
and I was going to have to switch to a
and I was going to have to switch to a public school
public school
public school I immediately closed the laptop ran
I immediately closed the laptop ran
I immediately closed the laptop ran upstairs and started crying I thought
upstairs and started crying I thought
upstairs and started crying I thought maybe I misread it or she has to be
maybe I misread it or she has to be
maybe I misread it or she has to be joking there had to be a different way I
joking there had to be a different way I
joking there had to be a different way I made myself forget about it and
made myself forget about it and
made myself forget about it and convinced myself it was just a huge
convinced myself it was just a huge
convinced myself it was just a huge misunderstanding however my parents
misunderstanding however my parents
misunderstanding however my parents thought me down and basically told me
thought me down and basically told me
thought me down and basically told me what the note said I was so confused I
what the note said I was so confused I
what the note said I was so confused I never expected this to happen as the
never expected this to happen as the
never expected this to happen as the youngest of six kids I felt like I got
youngest of six kids I felt like I got
youngest of six kids I felt like I got the leftovers of the others they all got
the leftovers of the others they all got
the leftovers of the others they all got to do what they wanted to do well I
to do what they wanted to do well I
to do what they wanted to do well I didn’t even get a choice I refused to
didn’t even get a choice I refused to
didn’t even get a choice I refused to accept this I had just begun to feel
accept this I had just begun to feel
accept this I had just begun to feel like I fit in at my private school but
like I fit in at my private school but
like I fit in at my private school but then I was ripped away from my
then I was ripped away from my
then I was ripped away from my comfortable situation and thrown into
comfortable situation and thrown into
comfortable situation and thrown into the dark and desolate unknown I told
the dark and desolate unknown I told
the dark and desolate unknown I told some of my closest friends at school and
some of my closest friends at school and
some of my closest friends at school and we tried coming up with a plan to raise
we tried coming up with a plan to raise
we tried coming up with a plan to raise money to get me to stay however we soon
money to get me to stay however we soon
money to get me to stay however we soon realized raising $60,000 on her own was
realized raising $60,000 on her own was
realized raising $60,000 on her own was completely unrealistic I also avoided
completely unrealistic I also avoided
completely unrealistic I also avoided talking to my parents about this because
talking to my parents about this because
talking to my parents about this because I thought that they were the reason this
I thought that they were the reason this
I thought that they were the reason this was happening to me after much thought
was happening to me after much thought
was happening to me after much thought anger and tears I finally realized there
anger and tears I finally realized there
anger and tears I finally realized there was nothing I could do no matter how
was nothing I could do no matter how
was nothing I could do no matter how hard this was I had to accept this and
hard this was I had to accept this and
hard this was I had to accept this and understand that it was out of my control
understand that it was out of my control
understand that it was out of my control accepting the fact that there is no
accepting the fact that there is no
accepting the fact that there is no going back is the first step to moving
going back is the first step to moving
going back is the first step to moving forward when there’s nothing you can do
even as an adult life will throw you
even as an adult life will throw you curveballs sometimes you eat the bear
curveballs sometimes you eat the bear
curveballs sometimes you eat the bear sometimes the bear eats you well I’m
sometimes the bear eats you well I’m
sometimes the bear eats you well I’m here to tell you what I went through and
here to tell you what I went through and
here to tell you what I went through and three steps you can take if you find
three steps you can take if you find
three steps you can take if you find yourself in a situation where there’s
yourself in a situation where there’s
yourself in a situation where there’s nothing you can do I did everything in
nothing you can do I did everything in
nothing you can do I did everything in my power to deny that the housing bubble
my power to deny that the housing bubble
my power to deny that the housing bubble of 2008 was going to affect me I’ve
of 2008 was going to affect me I’ve
of 2008 was going to affect me I’ve always been a fighter and I just figured
always been a fighter and I just figured
always been a fighter and I just figured I’d wait it out
I’d wait it out
I’d wait it out the problem was waiting was costing me
the problem was waiting was costing me
the problem was waiting was costing me $15,000 a month I’d done everything
$15,000 a month I’d done everything
$15,000 a month I’d done everything right so I thought I’d assembled a great
right so I thought I’d assembled a great
right so I thought I’d assembled a great team of developers and real estate
team of developers and real estate
team of developers and real estate experts and marketers I’d built and sold
experts and marketers I’d built and sold
experts and marketers I’d built and sold businesses before never in real estate
businesses before never in real estate
businesses before never in real estate but hey it’s just another business
but hey it’s just another business
but hey it’s just another business little did I know that the housing
little did I know that the housing
little did I know that the housing market would continue to take a dive for
market would continue to take a dive for
market would continue to take a dive for another four years much longer than my
another four years much longer than my
another four years much longer than my wallet could handle I was headed for a
wallet could handle I was headed for a
wallet could handle I was headed for a major loss of millions of dollars and
major loss of millions of dollars and
major loss of millions of dollars and there was nothing I could do I was
there was nothing I could do I was
there was nothing I could do I was unable to see the signs and therefore
unable to see the signs and therefore
unable to see the signs and therefore deal with the fact that I’d picked the
deal with the fact that I’d picked the
deal with the fact that I’d picked the worst possible time to not just build
worst possible time to not just build
worst possible time to not just build our dream home but to take on an entire
our dream home but to take on an entire
our dream home but to take on an entire subdivision when it hit me that our land
subdivision when it hit me that our land
subdivision when it hit me that our land and development deal was so far
and development deal was so far
and development deal was so far underwater I called a friend of mine and
underwater I called a friend of mine and
underwater I called a friend of mine and asked for his advice I said I’ve got 11
asked for his advice I said I’ve got 11
asked for his advice I said I’ve got 11 1 acre Lots I can’t sell what can I do
1 acre Lots I can’t sell what can I do
1 acre Lots I can’t sell what can I do he said he had 600 in the same condition
he said he had 600 in the same condition
he said he had 600 in the same condition and he was leaving the country well that
and he was leaving the country well that
and he was leaving the country well that didn’t help solve my problem I began to
didn’t help solve my problem I began to
didn’t help solve my problem I began to realize that this was a major issue that
realize that this was a major issue that
realize that this was a major issue that was affecting everyone and I got caught
was affecting everyone and I got caught
was affecting everyone and I got caught up in something I’d never heard of
up in something I’d never heard of
up in something I’d never heard of before the subprime mortgage crisis it
before the subprime mortgage crisis it
before the subprime mortgage crisis it was that day that I decided to go
was that day that I decided to go
was that day that I decided to go outside take a walk think after several
outside take a walk think after several
outside take a walk think after several hours it is beating myself up verbally
hours it is beating myself up verbally
hours it is beating myself up verbally and calling myself every name in the
and calling myself every name in the
and calling myself every name in the book I had to face facts my life savings
book I had to face facts my life savings
book I had to face facts my life savings had been wiped out my dream subdivision
had been wiped out my dream subdivision
had been wiped out my dream subdivision was on the auction block my banker was
was on the auction block my banker was
was on the auction block my banker was no longer taking my calls I was looking
no longer taking my calls I was looking
no longer taking my calls I was looking at a thirty-year do-over that’s a tough
at a thirty-year do-over that’s a tough
at a thirty-year do-over that’s a tough thing to accept accepting the fact that
thing to accept accepting the fact that
thing to accept accepting the fact that there’s no going back is the first step
there’s no going back is the first step
there’s no going back is the first step to move him forward
having accepted the fact that there was
having accepted the fact that there was no going back I was faced with the
no going back I was faced with the
no going back I was faced with the decision of what to do next
decision of what to do next
decision of what to do next I could either wallow in self-pity or
I could either wallow in self-pity or
I could either wallow in self-pity or adopt a new mindset I wanted to pick the
adopt a new mindset I wanted to pick the
adopt a new mindset I wanted to pick the first choice who knew that that would
first choice who knew that that would
first choice who knew that that would get me nowhere so I decided to make the
get me nowhere so I decided to make the
get me nowhere so I decided to make the best out of this change adapting a new
best out of this change adapting a new
best out of this change adapting a new mindset that focuses on the future is
mindset that focuses on the future is
mindset that focuses on the future is the second step to moving forward of
the second step to moving forward of
the second step to moving forward of course I was still upset and scared
course I was still upset and scared
course I was still upset and scared because look at me I’m tiny however
because look at me I’m tiny however
because look at me I’m tiny however instead of looking at my school change
instead of looking at my school change
instead of looking at my school change as something that was happening to me I
as something that was happening to me I
as something that was happening to me I decided to look at it as an opportunity
decided to look at it as an opportunity
decided to look at it as an opportunity to grow from an unexpected obstacle this
to grow from an unexpected obstacle this
to grow from an unexpected obstacle this allowed me to see the bright side of the
allowed me to see the bright side of the
allowed me to see the bright side of the situation and to see the new
situation and to see the new
situation and to see the new possibilities available to me by
possibilities available to me by
possibilities available to me by switching to a public school for example
switching to a public school for example
switching to a public school for example I was given the chance to try out for
I was given the chance to try out for
I was given the chance to try out for the cheer squad initially I did not want
the cheer squad initially I did not want
the cheer squad initially I did not want to because I didn’t know a single person
to because I didn’t know a single person
to because I didn’t know a single person trying out and I was intimidated one of
trying out and I was intimidated one of
trying out and I was intimidated one of the primary reasons I did cheer at my
the primary reasons I did cheer at my
the primary reasons I did cheer at my old school was because all my friends
old school was because all my friends
old school was because all my friends were doing it my mom however is that I
were doing it my mom however is that I
were doing it my mom however is that I would regret not cheering what did she
would regret not cheering what did she
would regret not cheering what did she know she wasn’t me she wasn’t going
know she wasn’t me she wasn’t going
know she wasn’t me she wasn’t going through what I was going through we
through what I was going through we
through what I was going through we debated over it and she finally forced
debated over it and she finally forced
debated over it and she finally forced me to try out for cheer I was so
me to try out for cheer I was so
me to try out for cheer I was so irritated with her was that switching
irritated with her was that switching
irritated with her was that switching schools enough change for me this year
schools enough change for me this year
schools enough change for me this year and now she was forcing me to do
and now she was forcing me to do
and now she was forcing me to do something else uncomfortable and knew I
something else uncomfortable and knew I
something else uncomfortable and knew I made the cheer squad but was far from
made the cheer squad but was far from
made the cheer squad but was far from happy I was still looking at it as the
happy I was still looking at it as the
happy I was still looking at it as the end of my private school however once I
end of my private school however once I
end of my private school however once I got to know my teammates and my coach I
got to know my teammates and my coach I
got to know my teammates and my coach I soon realized that I had nothing to
soon realized that I had nothing to
soon realized that I had nothing to worry about
worry about
worry about and became excited to see where this
and became excited to see where this
and became excited to see where this change would leave me adapting a new
change would leave me adapting a new
change would leave me adapting a new mindset changes how you view your future
mindset changes how you view your future
mindset changes how you view your future despite what may be going on in the
despite what may be going on in the
despite what may be going on in the present it isn’t easy but in the end
present it isn’t easy but in the end
present it isn’t easy but in the end it’s that simple and you may just need
it’s that simple and you may just need
it’s that simple and you may just need someone like your mom to help you see
someone like your mom to help you see
someone like your mom to help you see that you know I mentioned going on a
that you know I mentioned going on a
that you know I mentioned going on a walk and verbally beating myself up what
walk and verbally beating myself up what
walk and verbally beating myself up what I didn’t tell you was that a few hours
I didn’t tell you was that a few hours
I didn’t tell you was that a few hours into it I just started to laugh I came
into it I just started to laugh I came
into it I just started to laugh I came to the conclusion you can only beat
to the conclusion you can only beat
to the conclusion you can only beat yourself up for so long and then you got
yourself up for so long and then you got
yourself up for so long and then you got to face facts I had to change my
to face facts I had to change my
to face facts I had to change my thinking I had to adapt a new mindset
thinking I had to adapt a new mindset
thinking I had to adapt a new mindset adapting a new mindset that focuses on
adapting a new mindset that focuses on
adapting a new mindset that focuses on the future instead of dwelling on the
the future instead of dwelling on the
the future instead of dwelling on the past is the second step to moving
past is the second step to moving
past is the second step to moving forward
forward
forward I’d rethink how I thought about my loss
I’d rethink how I thought about my loss
I’d rethink how I thought about my loss it was really beginning to affect how I
it was really beginning to affect how I
it was really beginning to affect how I thought about myself all I kept thinking
thought about myself all I kept thinking
thought about myself all I kept thinking was you’re a failed real-estate
was you’re a failed real-estate
was you’re a failed real-estate developer that’s not a healthy identity
developer that’s not a healthy identity
developer that’s not a healthy identity to embrace but that left me a haunting
to embrace but that left me a haunting
to embrace but that left me a haunting question Who am I now I had to go back
question Who am I now I had to go back
question Who am I now I had to go back to my lemonade stand days back to the
to my lemonade stand days back to the
to my lemonade stand days back to the basics I was an entrepreneur then I am
basics I was an entrepreneur then I am
basics I was an entrepreneur then I am an entrepreneur it’s all I’ve ever been
an entrepreneur it’s all I’ve ever been
an entrepreneur it’s all I’ve ever been real estate development was a failed
real estate development was a failed
real estate development was a failed project but that didn’t make me a
project but that didn’t make me a
project but that didn’t make me a failure yeah I lost a lot of money but I
failure yeah I lost a lot of money but I
failure yeah I lost a lot of money but I still had my family my health and my
still had my family my health and my
still had my family my health and my friends changing my thinking from loss
friends changing my thinking from loss
friends changing my thinking from loss to lessen is what allowed me to move
to lessen is what allowed me to move
to lessen is what allowed me to move forward it wasn’t easy took years but I
forward it wasn’t easy took years but I
forward it wasn’t easy took years but I learned so much in the process my loss
learned so much in the process my loss
learned so much in the process my loss was a major failure but I gained so much
was a major failure but I gained so much
was a major failure but I gained so much wisdom from the experience accept the
wisdom from the experience accept the
wisdom from the experience accept the fact that there’s no going back
fact that there’s no going back
fact that there’s no going back adapt a new mindset that focuses on the
adapt a new mindset that focuses on the
adapt a new mindset that focuses on the future rather than dwelling on the past
future rather than dwelling on the past
future rather than dwelling on the past and you’ll be ready for the final step
and you’ll be ready for the final step
and you’ll be ready for the final step in the process the final step in the
in the process the final step in the
in the process the final step in the process is to take action I had accepted
process is to take action I had accepted
process is to take action I had accepted my situation I had adapted a new mindset
my situation I had adapted a new mindset
my situation I had adapted a new mindset and now I needed to act on my thoughts
and now I needed to act on my thoughts
and now I needed to act on my thoughts you see you can’t look back when you’re
you see you can’t look back when you’re
you see you can’t look back when you’re taking action you must use all of your
taking action you must use all of your
taking action you must use all of your experiences and lessons learned from
experiences and lessons learned from
experiences and lessons learned from past struggles to make a plan and move
past struggles to make a plan and move
past struggles to make a plan and move forward starting as a freshman and a
forward starting as a freshman and a
forward starting as a freshman and a class of over 800 students at a public
class of over 800 students at a public
class of over 800 students at a public school for the first time was definitely
school for the first time was definitely
school for the first time was definitely a nerve-racking and scary situation but
a nerve-racking and scary situation but
a nerve-racking and scary situation but with my new mindset I was able to look
with my new mindset I was able to look
with my new mindset I was able to look forward and grow I didn’t dwell in the
forward and grow I didn’t dwell in the
forward and grow I didn’t dwell in the past and think about how great life
past and think about how great life
past and think about how great life would have been at my old private school
would have been at my old private school
would have been at my old private school but instead I look to the future and the
but instead I look to the future and the
but instead I look to the future and the abundance of new opportunities set
abundance of new opportunities set
abundance of new opportunities set before me that wouldn’t have been
before me that wouldn’t have been
before me that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise instead of missing my
possible otherwise instead of missing my
possible otherwise instead of missing my old classes I challenge myself to enroll
old classes I challenge myself to enroll
old classes I challenge myself to enroll in rigorous classes that wouldn’t have
in rigorous classes that wouldn’t have
in rigorous classes that wouldn’t have been offered
been offered
been offered at my private school and that would
at my private school and that would
at my private school and that would better me instead of lamenting over lost
better me instead of lamenting over lost
better me instead of lamenting over lost friendships I want to get outside of my
friendships I want to get outside of my
friendships I want to get outside of my comfort zone and introduce myself to new
comfort zone and introduce myself to new
comfort zone and introduce myself to new people at lunch I would look for those
people at lunch I would look for those
people at lunch I would look for those who are sitting alone and invite them to
who are sitting alone and invite them to
who are sitting alone and invite them to come sit with my new friends and I at
come sit with my new friends and I at
come sit with my new friends and I at our table because I knew how
our table because I knew how
our table because I knew how uncomfortable and scary it was to not
uncomfortable and scary it was to not
uncomfortable and scary it was to not know anyone I always made an effort to
know anyone I always made an effort to
know anyone I always made an effort to look out for those who might be going
look out for those who might be going
look out for those who might be going through the same thing that I went
through the same thing that I went
through the same thing that I went through this step is very important
through this step is very important
through this step is very important because you’re applying all that you
because you’re applying all that you
because you’re applying all that you have learned and gained from the
have learned and gained from the
have learned and gained from the previous two steps to create your future
previous two steps to create your future
previous two steps to create your future although I was compelled to switch
although I was compelled to switch
although I was compelled to switch schools and try out for cheer I’m very
schools and try out for cheer I’m very
schools and try out for cheer I’m very grateful and I’ve learned many new
grateful and I’ve learned many new
grateful and I’ve learned many new lessons that can be applied next time
lessons that can be applied next time
lessons that can be applied next time I’m faced with challenges I’d accept in
I’m faced with challenges I’d accept in
I’m faced with challenges I’d accept in our situation adapted a new mindset and
our situation adapted a new mindset and
our situation adapted a new mindset and now it’s time to take action
now it’s time to take action
now it’s time to take action I knew I had to tell my wife everything
I knew I had to tell my wife everything
I knew I had to tell my wife everything and it was going to be devastating news
and it was going to be devastating news
and it was going to be devastating news we sat and cried as I shared with her
we sat and cried as I shared with her
we sat and cried as I shared with her that everything that we had worked so
that everything that we had worked so
that everything that we had worked so hard and so long for was gone
hard and so long for was gone
hard and so long for was gone dream home gone our life savings gone
dream home gone our life savings gone
dream home gone our life savings gone kids college fund gone it was all gone
kids college fund gone it was all gone
kids college fund gone it was all gone and on top of that I never had a job
and on top of that I never had a job
and on top of that I never had a job there was just nothing leaving us to
there was just nothing leaving us to
there was just nothing leaving us to Dallas anymore
Dallas anymore
Dallas anymore so I asked my wife where do you want to
so I asked my wife where do you want to
so I asked my wife where do you want to live I feared her response because I’d
live I feared her response because I’d
live I feared her response because I’d been shouldering all the shame and blame
been shouldering all the shame and blame
been shouldering all the shame and blame of our new reality she said I want to
of our new reality she said I want to
of our new reality she said I want to live wherever you are that was the
live wherever you are that was the
live wherever you are that was the perfect answer for me because to be
perfect answer for me because to be
perfect answer for me because to be honest she could have freaked out and
honest she could have freaked out and
honest she could have freaked out and blamed me for everything and that would
blamed me for everything and that would
blamed me for everything and that would have only made me feel worse what she
have only made me feel worse what she
have only made me feel worse what she said in that simple sentence was I’m
said in that simple sentence was I’m
said in that simple sentence was I’m with you and we’re in this together
with you and we’re in this together
with you and we’re in this together as you can see I married way over my
as you can see I married way over my
as you can see I married way over my head it was time for a new plan my plan
head it was time for a new plan my plan
head it was time for a new plan my plan was simple we had to cut back expenses
was simple we had to cut back expenses
was simple we had to cut back expenses to the bare essentials and I had to go
to the bare essentials and I had to go
to the bare essentials and I had to go find work as you figured out by now
find work as you figured out by now
find work as you figured out by now Slean caught wind of the cutback plan
Slean caught wind of the cutback plan
Slean caught wind of the cutback plan when she looked at our mothers computer
when she looked at our mothers computer
when she looked at our mothers computer cutting back men no more private schools
cutting back men no more private schools
cutting back men no more private schools no more college tuitions no more select
no more college tuitions no more select
no more college tuitions no more select team sports no more dinners out with the
team sports no more dinners out with the
team sports no more dinners out with the family no new cars selling off that
family no new cars selling off that
family no new cars selling off that awesome 15 passenger van my wife and I
awesome 15 passenger van my wife and I
awesome 15 passenger van my wife and I had gone through the three steps of
had gone through the three steps of
had gone through the three steps of accepting our situation adapting a new
accepting our situation adapting a new
accepting our situation adapting a new mindset and we’re taking action and now
mindset and we’re taking action and now
mindset and we’re taking action and now it’s going to be Celine Stern along with
it’s going to be Celine Stern along with
it’s going to be Celine Stern along with the rest of our kids for me it was time
the rest of our kids for me it was time
the rest of our kids for me it was time to think of a new business to start
to think of a new business to start
to think of a new business to start because that’s what entrepreneurs do I
because that’s what entrepreneurs do I
because that’s what entrepreneurs do I don’t know what challenges you might be
don’t know what challenges you might be
don’t know what challenges you might be facing
facing
facing maybe you’re beating yourself up for
maybe you’re beating yourself up for
maybe you’re beating yourself up for poor decisions like I was maybe you’ve
poor decisions like I was maybe you’ve
poor decisions like I was maybe you’ve been betrayed in a trusted relationship
been betrayed in a trusted relationship
been betrayed in a trusted relationship like Celine maybe you’re dealing with
like Celine maybe you’re dealing with
like Celine maybe you’re dealing with shame and blaming someone or something
shame and blaming someone or something
shame and blaming someone or something for life not going the way you planned
for life not going the way you planned
for life not going the way you planned whatever your challenge if it’s cut you
whatever your challenge if it’s cut you
whatever your challenge if it’s cut you to the core if you feel you’ve lost
to the core if you feel you’ve lost
to the core if you feel you’ve lost control if you feel like there’s nothing
control if you feel like there’s nothing
control if you feel like there’s nothing you can do we’re here to tell you there
you can do we’re here to tell you there
you can do we’re here to tell you there is something you can do to take back
is something you can do to take back
is something you can do to take back control of your life so what do you do
control of your life so what do you do
control of your life so what do you do when there is nothing you can do what do
when there is nothing you can do what do
when there is nothing you can do what do you do when you feel hopeless helpless
you do when you feel hopeless helpless
you do when you feel hopeless helpless and hurt except adapt and act accept the
and hurt except adapt and act accept the
and hurt except adapt and act accept the fact that there is no going back to the
fact that there is no going back to the
fact that there is no going back to the way things were before it doesn’t matter
way things were before it doesn’t matter
way things were before it doesn’t matter if your challenges were created by you
if your challenges were created by you
if your challenges were created by you or not blaming others or yourself won’t
or not blaming others or yourself won’t
or not blaming others or yourself won’t change anything stop hoping things were
change anything stop hoping things were
change anything stop hoping things were different
different
different hoping doesn’t change anything don’t
hoping doesn’t change anything don’t
hoping doesn’t change anything don’t wish your life was easier choose to be
wish your life was easier choose to be
wish your life was easier choose to be better adapt a new mindset that focuses
better adapt a new mindset that focuses
better adapt a new mindset that focuses on the future rather than dwelling on
on the future rather than dwelling on
on the future rather than dwelling on the past only you control your thoughts
the past only you control your thoughts
the past only you control your thoughts no one can control your thinking my
no one can control your thinking my
no one can control your thinking my friend Edie eager was 17 years old when
friend Edie eager was 17 years old when
friend Edie eager was 17 years old when she and her family were sent to
she and her family were sent to
she and her family were sent to Auschwitz a Nazi death camp where her
Auschwitz a Nazi death camp where her
Auschwitz a Nazi death camp where her parents were killed in the Holocaust
parents were killed in the Holocaust
parents were killed in the Holocaust just before they were separated Edie’s
just before they were separated Edie’s
just before they were separated Edie’s mother told her remember dear no one can
mother told her remember dear no one can
mother told her remember dear no one can take away from you what you put here in
take away from you what you put here in
take away from you what you put here in your own
your own
your own mind edy vowed to never let the Nazis
mind edy vowed to never let the Nazis
mind edy vowed to never let the Nazis control her thinking and she still
control her thinking and she still
control her thinking and she still teaches this principle today IDI taught
teaches this principle today IDI taught
teaches this principle today IDI taught me if you can control your focus you can
me if you can control your focus you can
me if you can control your focus you can control your future and finally you have
control your future and finally you have
control your future and finally you have to take action
to take action
to take action it’s action that creates the change
it’s action that creates the change
it’s action that creates the change until then you’re just playing head
until then you’re just playing head
until then you’re just playing head games taking action is hard you might
games taking action is hard you might
games taking action is hard you might need someone to push you but understand
need someone to push you but understand
need someone to push you but understand one thing until you get started nothing
one thing until you get started nothing
one thing until you get started nothing will change but the good news is once
will change but the good news is once
will change but the good news is once you do get started everything will
you do get started everything will
you do get started everything will change everything
”
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